Woodland and Countryside Advisor

Yorkshire Water; Bradford; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional water company located in Bradford is seeking an Environmental Manager to support woodland and countryside management objectives. The ideal candidate will oversee compliance, engage with stakeholders, and manage forest planning. Applicants should possess a relevant degree and extensive experience in forestry or arboriculture. The position offers a competitive salary of £33,795 to £42,069, a bonus opportunity, and various additional benefits including flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual incentive related bonus

Pension scheme up to 12% company contribution

Development opportunities

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Health cash plan and insurance

Gym membership discounts

Qualifications

• Five years plus practical experience in forestry or arboriculture.
• Awareness of health and safety systems relevant to practical countryside work.
• Competent IT user with experience in MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Manage compliance and statutory requirements for the woodland estate.
• Develop and implement forest plans and UKWAS standards.
• Engage with stakeholders and manage relationships with statutory bodies.
• Seek new grant opportunities and maximize income through forestry operations.

Skills

Compliance management

Stakeholder engagement

Forest planning

General understanding of forestry

Communication skills

Education

Degree in arboriculture or forestry

Tools

MS Office

Job description

What we do!

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year can rely on our services, have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. For us, it is so much more than this. We look after communities, protect the environment and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water today, tomorrow, 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing and prosperity.

Where you fit in!

This role will support the Lead Woodland and Countryside Advisor to manage the existing estate and deliver against business objectives and compliance.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

• Compliance, statutory plant health notice, tree safety across woodland estate.
• FSC certification, audit and compliance against UKWAS standards to retain accreditation.
• Forest plan development, new forest plans and in‑house UKWAS management plans, implementation and delivery against set objectives.
• Stakeholder engagement, liaison and statutory body relationship management (Forestry Commission, Natural England, White Rose Forest, local authorities).
• AMP 8 delivery – e.g. WINEP projects development and delivery of capital projects to report against performance commitments within L&P and the wider business. Net Zero PC develop projects and register carbon units for wider business benefits.
• Partnership development and support, e.g. Landscapes for Water, seeking new partnership opportunities to help YW deliver against regional and national objectives such as Nature Recovery plans and National Forest objectives.
• Income generation – seek new grant opportunities and maximise income through commercial forestry operations to deliver cost‑effective land management. Grant compliance for existing and proposed woodland creation projects, monitoring and compliance with grant conditions.
• Actively contribute towards company net‑zero targets through development and registration of woodland creation projects to offset company emissions.
• Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (arboriculture or forestry related).
• Five years plus practical experience in forestry or arboriculture countryside / environmental management.
• General specialist understanding of forestry, arboriculture, nature conservation, outdoor recreation and countryside related issues.
• Awareness of health and safety systems relevant to practical countryside work (risk assessments, Forest Industry Safety Accord glass and lone working systems).
• Competent IT user with experience in MS Office suite of applications.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to work effectively alone and as part of a team.

Benefits

• Competitive salary – £33,795 to £42,069 depending on experience.
• Annual incentive related bonus (up to £1,000 maximum opportunity for the performance year).
• Attractive pension scheme – up to 12% company contribution.
• Development opportunities in line with the Woodland and Countryside Advisor progression plan.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an extra wellness day.
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary.
• Health cash plan, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme.
• Online GP service, cycle‑to‑work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more.

Location & Working Hours

This role will initially be based in Bradford but will move our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026. You will be predominantly working from home. Full driving licence essential with less than 6 points.

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday. We support flexible working patterns and job share options to help you make the best of both your work and home life.

Pre‑employment Checks

If successful, you will be required to undergo pre‑employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check carried out through a Third‑Party Company prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter‑Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

Accessibility & Accommodation

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.